Our email is don@DonRickertDesign.com and phone number is (706) 896-0909 or (706) 400-1481 (mobile). You can also use the "Contact" link on this page.

We are once-again be offering a very usable stripped down factory-made entry level Violoncello da Spalla for about $2,500. It is called the Basic Model. This is the lowest price possible for an instrument that I will sign my name to (on the label, of course).

All adjustments and setup are done in our workshop in the North Georgia Mountains. Many affordable upgrades are available as well, such as Wittner tuning pegs, and a hand-made Baroque figured maple-clad spruce-core fingerboard and matching Baroque tailpiece.

Note: I know for a fact that some enthusiasts seeking a less expensive instruments have spent more than $2,500 on converted child's fractional size cellos and almost as much on seemingly budget priced eBay instruments, once the proper strings are purchased and necessary lutherie work to make them playable is done! I even know of people who tried to build their own, but still own a very expensive pile of wood. I understand, as that is how I got into lutherie, so that I could make my own instruments that I could not otherwise afford, but that was 40 years ago, before I picked up the necessary skills. My early attempts were not successful. It takes years to become proficient at making instruments.

At some point, if you really want to have a Violoncello da Spalla, you are going to have to bite the bullet. Maybe put off that eBike purchase, or maybe hold off on the new iPhone and tablet.

The Basic Model has essentially the same dimensional specs as one of our top-of-the-line instruments. Some significant differences are as follow:

• Traditional ebony tuning pegs rather than Wittner FineTune(tm)
• A faux rather than true baroque fingerboard and tailpiece. The fingerboard also has a flatter radius (2.5" vs. 2")
• A utilitarian rather than fancy bridge
• The top and back graduations are "good enough" rather than painstakingly optimized
• Repurposed viola and fractional cello strings rather than deluxe silk core with silver and tungsten windings.

All of the above can be upgraded. Even then the price will be less than $4,500.

Even given the basic nature of the instrument, it is quite playable and sounds good. And it looks very nice (i.e. not cheap).